Risk Assessment of the Mentally Ill Individual and Detection of Malingering

Mentally ill clients present many risks for professionals. This program is designed to provide a practical map through the marshy minefield of uncertainty in the prediction of violence toward others. Recent research will be presented on risk assessment. The demographics of violence and the specific incidence of violence in different psychiatric diagnoses will be reviewed. Dangerousness will be discussed in persons with psychosis, mania, depression, and organic brain disease. Special attention will be given to persons with specific delusions, command hallucinations, erotomania, premenstrual tension, and homosexual panic. Personality traits and childhood antecedents of adult violence will be covered. Instruction will be given on taking a history from potentially dangerous patients and possible countertransference feelings. Techniques will be demonstrated in the elucidation of violent threats and "perceived intentionality." Additionally, the release of persons who have already committed violent acts will be discussed.

The detection of malingering is an important component of this seminar. Those who malinger mental illness are often trying to avoid responsibility for a criminal act, obtain benefits, such as disability or access temporary housing, such as a crisis shelter. At a time when mental health services are overwhelmed with those requesting services, one must have the ability to determine who is truly ill. Video case examples will help participants to distinguish between real and faked hallucinations.

WorkShop Objectives

Identify predictors of violence toward others
Demonstrate interview techniques in the assessment of dangerousness
Evaluate how likely a threat is to been acted upon
Recognize legal issues in risk evaluations for homicide and violence toward others
Assess one's own level of practice relative to accepted standards of care
Demonstrate skill in detecting deception
Detect malingered psychosis
Identify the five signs of malingered insanity defenses

Presented by

Phillip Resnick, M.D.Phillip J. Resnick is an internationally known forensic psychiatrist noted for his expertise in the assessment of violence risk and the detection of malingered mental illness.He is a Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Division of Forensic Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio.He is a past president of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law.He has provided consultation in many high profile cases including:Jeffrey Dahmer, Susan Smith, Timothy McVey, Andrea Yates, Scott Petersen, Brian Mitchell (kidnapper of Elizabeth Smart), Theodore Kaczynski (Unabomber) and Casey Anthony.He has written over 180 professional journal articles and book chapters.Dr. Resnick contributed two chapters to Clinical Assessment of Malingering and Deception.He received the Isaac Ray Award from the American Psychiatric Association for outstanding contributions to forensic psychiatry and psychiatric aspects of jurisprudence. He has lectured in 49 states and 23 countries. Dr. Resnick’s presentations are well organized, humorous, fast moving, and packed with vital information.